Smith Scott Mullan’s Post

How to retrofit unsustainable commercial buildings and why landlords will be stranded if they don’t. From #housebuilding to hospitals, the industry is abuzz with new ideas about #sustainablebuildings. There is less talk about the UK’s existing, mostly carbon-unfriendly commercial buildings, particularly those unloved ones struggling to find tenants in a post-Covid agile age. When Watts Group Limited attended the zero carbon property conference FOOTPRINT 2024, the focus was firmly on new builds such as the Velindre Cancer Centre in Wales where local materials are being sourced for construction and the Sara Cultural Centre in Skelleftea, Sweden, which at 75m is one of the tallest timber buildings in the world and a carbon negative template for high rise construction. https://lnkd.in/egB58_Dx It wasn’t all about new builds. On Foot Print’s retrofit stage, we heard from John Christophers RIBA, a campaigning architect who has retrofitted 2,000 homes in his home town of Balsall Heath using a little-known pot of local authority money. These and other examples are seriously impressive, but what about commercial buildings? What can be done to #retrofit commercial stock in the UK, and why do #landlords and the industry need to face up to the challenge? https://lnkd.in/eAHPyPGH

Smith Scott Mullan share the news that proposals to create a new sustainable coastal town at Granton Waterfront have moved a step closer to reality with the first phase of the £1.3billion masterplan given the go-ahead following unanimous agreement by The City of Edinburgh Council’s Development Management Sub-Committee. The area forms part of the Capital’s largest brownfield site, centred around the newly refurbished Gasholder, and will be transformed into an exciting new development of 847 net zero homes, 45% of which will be of affordable tenure. Proposals also include for attractive and accessible open spaces, over 2000m2 of commercial space, a mobility hub, and new and enhanced active travel routes and public transport connections. The development is to be heated through a new low carbon heat network, and a primary school is proposed to be delivered alongside this residential-led development.   Visualisations: Float

Jumping back into the city-building world after a year at Oxford, earlier this week I attended the London edition of Citymakers 2024: Communities Shaped by Transport. Presented by Allies and Morrison, this year’s event focused on large-scale transit-oriented development in London, UK and Toronto, Canada. Having spent most of my working life in Toronto, the panel’s reflections feel especially relevant as the city undergoes generational investment in transit and housing. Here are some highlights from each of the speakers: Eleanor Fawcett (Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC)): regeneration projects thrive when they resonate with the existing community, creating vibrancy that attracts new residents, businesses, and investors (eg. Stratford) Emma Cariaga (British Land): flexible planning permissions are a must for large-scale projects, allowing land uses to respond to market and community changes over a 15+ year project horizon (eg. Canada Water) Robert Evans (Quod formerly Related Argent): transportation infrastructure (although essential!) should fade into the background so master plans can focus on creating people-friendly places (eg. King’s Cross) Deputy Mayor Jules Pipe (Greater London Authority): infrastructure investment shouldn’t just improve transit—it can catalyze broader investments in public spaces and amenities Philipp Rode (LSE Cities): decision-makers need to be cognizant of the politicization of planning concepts, and recognize how admirable aspirations can confront the realities of people’s daily life in a way that builds opposition to their implementation (eg. “XX-minute cities”) Naama Blonder (Smart Density, and my former colleague at Urban Strategies Inc.): Metrolinx is one of the largest surface parking lot owners in North America, highlighting the opportunity of leveraging transit infrastructure to mitigate Toronto’s housing crisis. Toronto folks, don’t miss the follow-up event next week (feat. Craig Lametti, another colleague from my Urban Strategies Inc. days). Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gu2kMUWw

Released today by the Department for Housing and Urban Development, I’m proud Aurecon has played a part in shaping our future regional open spaces as part of the new Greater Adelaide Regional Plan (GARP). Planning and designing open spaces is now more important than ever, and it is a solid focus of the new Plan. This includes our future parks and green spaces - a vision for a new Northern Parklands.... The new GARP is #Adelaide’s blueprint for the next 30 years - and it’s out for consultation. Have your say! https://lnkd.in/gCSRFFj5 Amber Hille Fabio Borges Riley Donaldson Rishi G Elissa Stapleton Sam Linke Heath Gledhill #peoplemovementplace #cities #openspace #urbandesign #greening #greeninfrastructure #sustainability #whatsyourimpact #trees #sportandrecreation #naturepositive #climatepositivedesign #climatechange #adaptation #mitigation #place #whatsyourimpact https://lnkd.in/gCX-8yWD

Mixed-use developments are trending in commercial development. They offer numerous benefits, including reduced commute times, increased property values, and a more dynamic urban environment. They also promote sustainability by encouraging public transportation and reducing the need for single-use buildings. #commercialdevelopment #development #yeg #yegbiz #civilengineering #civilengineeringfirm #alberta #construction

The first phase of the Bridge District is about to make its debut—and we’re thrilled to have been part of bringing this vision to life! We are nearing completion of the Stratos, Poplar House, and Alula—three distinct towers housing 757 units and 40,000 square feet of retail space. Located at the foot of the Douglass Bridge, this milestone is the beginning of a vibrant, sustainable new neighborhood in Anacostia. The first phase will feature incredible restaurants, entertainment, and community spaces. This more than 900,000-sf multifamily project, stands out as one of the most sustainable multifamily buildings in the country! Currently pursuing LEED Platinum and ILFI Zero Carbon certifications, this all-electric building will be powered by renewable energy, including a 200 kW rooftop solar array. As part of the Bridge District’s eight-acre, 2.5 million-sf development in Ward 8—where all projects target net zero carbon—we’re proud to play a role in reshaping the cityscape with impactful and sustainable projects. We’re so excited to be building alongside our partners Redbrick LMD and ZGF Architects. Stay tuned as the Bridge District in Washington, DC comes to life! #BridgeDistrictDC #DCDevelopment #SustainableLiving #LEEDPlatinum #ZeroCarbon

Some municipalities are forging ahead with their own green building standards, imposing conditions that are even more restrictive than the national and provincial building codes, and setting unrealistic timelines, RESCON president Richard Lyall writes in a column in Storeys. “Moving the yardsticks beyond those legislated by the present building codes will only stymie the construction of much-needed new homes,” he states. “In the end, with fewer homes being built, nobody wins.” #housingsupplycrisis #construction #housingcrisis #development #BuildingRegulations #greenbuildings #sustainabledevelopment Danny Roth Eric Wainwright

As an NRCan Energy Advisor it is a challenge to work with builders in multiple cities with multiple planning agreements. Agreements that all seem to be created by commerical planners/engineers for residential products without a consideration of Part 9 building code energy requirements in place already. Although this is our speciality and I kind of enjoy the problem solving. It would be nice that builders that were/are high performance builders were recognized by the Municipalities, the Province and the Federal Government (amoung other programs) and not because they had too first, before being told what to build. #newhomerecognition (I should take a city count at this point, but is WAY more than the two listed in Ontario). Special shout out to Enbridge, CMHC and RBC for recognizing new home programs of participating high performance builders.

Second contract award at Riverside Sunderland 📣 Esh Construction has been appointed by Sunderland City Council to lead on the first phase of Riverside Park, an ambitious project to transform swathes of land spanning both sides of the River Wear into a new city centre park. The park will be situated at the heart of Riverside Sunderland, one of the UK’s largest urban regeneration projects, which is breathing new life into the city’s former industrial heartland. Last month, Esh also secured the Sunderland Sheepfolds public realm project, taking the total schemes to be delivered at Riverside Sunderland to £10 million. Read more: https://lnkd.in/emt-8vwe #RiversideSunderland #civilengineering

Exciting progress at Western Villages at Granton Waterfront!   OOBE was commissioned to develop the landscape masterplan and public realm associated with a new residential development as part of the wider Granton Waterfront masterplan. The landscape proposals aim to create a tranquil, natural haven for residents and visitors. Our design prioritises pedestrians and sustainable solutions by intertwining people, the environment, and the site's industrial heritage. This includes incorporating SuDS features, strengthening tree belts, and connecting new green infrastructure with the existing landscape, enhancing the site's ecology.   At OOBE, we understand the importance of integrating with the local and broader context. The mature woodland and views of the Forth have inspired our design, and we are committed to preserving and enhancing these natural assets. Western Villages will transform into an outstanding neighbourhood – a haven for residents of all ages and a thriving biodiverse environment. Western Villages is a vital housing development currently under construction in Scotland. This project, which will feature mixed-tenure homes, is being developed in collaboration with The City of Edinburgh Council and is a crucial component of the £1.3 billion Granton Waterfront Regeneration Framework. The development aims to achieve operational net zero carbon emissions using the innovative CCG Net Zero Home build standard.   Project Team: Cooper Cromar | Bayne Stevenson Associates Limited | Arcadis | Carbon Futures | Arc Tech (Scotland) Ltd | Arc-Tech MU Ltd | CCG (Scotland) Ltd | Hawthorne Boyle Ltd | REHAU UK - Window Solutions   Video credit CCG   #GrantonWaterfront #SustainableDevelopment #NetZero #LandscapeArchitecture #Edinburgh #Housing